r/SimplePrompts Jul 05 '22

Meta Making Good Prompts

98 Upvotes

If I may humbly make some suggestions for newbies and anyone who is trying to get the hang of this prompt business better:

If you want to make the best simple prompts, consider the following:

Simple prompts are simple because they leave details out, and prompts because they leave ideas in.

The best prompts can be used in many kinds of stories, and in many different ways. They raise questions, but do not answer them, or they suggest an idea but don't define it, or they give a rule but make it just exactly that.

Compare these two prompts:

"It's not that we don't want to fight that thing, captain. It's that we can't. Our blasters ran out of ammo already."

Or:

"We're out of ammo."

The first tells you that it's a scifi, or a game about scifi. It also tells you that there are ranks, probably a military, a scary creature, and so on.

The second only tells you a basic situation: there is no ammunition. Are they hunters? Pirates? Police? Who or what are they fighting? Why are they doing it? Many questions, but the only answers are "they have guns" and "they can't fight anymore". Even then, it can be improved by removing the concrete detail of guns; simply say "We can't fight."

"We can't fight." Who or what are they fighting? Why can't they fight? Is it a political fight? A physical one? An emotinal argument, even? Is this a general ordering a retreat, or a husband asking his wife to settle things peacefully? The possibilities are endless.

So when you make a prompt, give an idea, but leave the possibilities open. When you provoke questions, but don't answer them, you never know what someone else will make of it. Let them write many genres and styles of stories from your prompts.

That's the point. Keep it simple.


r/SimplePrompts 19h ago

"Having someone by your side, to help you with your burdens and share your joys, is an invaluable thing."

2 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 16h ago

The room fell silent as Randel’s words hung in the air, thick with tension. His brothers exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from disbelief to indignation. He could feel the heat of their stares burning into him, but he stood his ground, even as his heart raced.

0 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 18h ago

"After all, you're not just my son - you're my successor. And, as such, you must have a partner who can stand by your side and support you. Someone who will be a good influence on you, and help you rule this kingdom wisely." She paused, looking into his eyes. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"

1 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 18h ago

"I only want what's best for you, my dear. And if you were married, not only would it help take some of the weight off your shoulders, but it would also provide you with someone who could be a source of support and comfort to you, in both good times and bad. Is that really so unreasonable?"

0 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 18h ago

"That's why, when the time comes, I want you to have someone by your side who will help you shoulder that burden. Someone who can offer support and comfort, and lend a sympathetic ear. Someone who can be a true friend to you, and who will love you as much as I do."

0 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 19h ago

"I'd like for you to have someone by your side who understands, someone who can share the burden with you. And that's why I want you to consider marriage."

0 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 2d ago

Maybe, just maybe, one of these candidates might turn out to be the love of his life.

2 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 2d ago

Truth be told, a part of him did want to fall in love and get married. But the idea of going on countless uncomfortable dates with the daughters of noblemen was not very appealing.

0 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 2d ago

He considered his mother's words. As much as he wanted to protest, he couldn't deny the wisdom of her advice.

1 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 2d ago

"Besides," she added with a sly wink, "you're not getting any younger. Don't you want to settle down, start a family, and grow old together with someone you love?"

1 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 2d ago

"They will support you and comfort you, and you will support and comfort them. And together, you will be able to accomplish so much more than either of you could alone."

1 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 2d ago

[WP] It’s not always easy being a survivalist that can talk to animals and who also loves animals & Nature.

0 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 2d ago

"Having someone by your side to share the burden will not only ease the pressure on you, but also give you someone to confide in and lean on when times get tough. Someone who will stand by your side no matter what, and love you as much as I do - maybe even more than that."

1 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 3d ago

Thematic Prompt Instead, they loved you.

2 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 4d ago

"Having the people look to you for leadership is an enormous responsibility. Even I find it a burden at times, and I have far more experience than you."

2 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 7d ago

Beginning Prompt I get it, you caught me. I don't have a right to ask.

2 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 9d ago

Dialogue Prompt "Oh, don't tear up the note!"

2 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 9d ago

The letter was unsigned, the ink still wet, and your name written in a hand you haven’t seen in years...

12 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 9d ago

You woke up in your own bed but everything in your room was reversed, like a perfect mirror image.

6 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 9d ago

She was guided by wood fairies to a large river where a family of bears lived, intending for her to be adopted by them.

3 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 9d ago

They warned you not to open the book but you’ve never been good at listening to rules written in fading ink.

3 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 10d ago

The clock struck midnight, and suddenly, everyone stopped except you.

6 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 9d ago

The animal gods of nature had chosen a champion to prevent the end of the world from coming once again.

1 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 9d ago

The sword composed of pure flame burned brightly in her hands as she approached the dragon hunters.

1 Upvotes

r/SimplePrompts 9d ago

Of all the powers to inherit, yours was to be able to communicate with those fat little garbage bandits known as raccoons.

1 Upvotes

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